[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 152 (Friday, November 30, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1854]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING MR. EDWARD SPAR ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE COUNCIL OF 
            PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS ON FEDERAL STATISTICS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 30, 2012

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Edward 
Spar on his retirement as Executive Director of the Council of 
Professional Associations on Federal Statistics, COPAFS. Since December 
1992, Mr. Spar has led COPAFS, a consortium of over 50 organizations 
and individuals dedicated to increasing knowledge about issues 
affecting Federal statistical agencies and to encouraging dialogue 
between its member organizations, federal agencies, Congress, and the 
public about these issues.
  As you may know Mr. Speaker, I am a strong supporter of our nation's 
federal statistical agencies and the data that they collect, 
disseminate, and protect. These agencies, which include, for example, 
the Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center for 
Education Statistics, National Center for Health Statistics, and Bureau 
of Justice
  Statistics, are national treasures. Simply put, federal, state, and 
local governments and American businesses could not function 
effectively without these agencies which produce high quality, 
reliable, and accessible data.
  As the COPAFS Executive Director, Mr. Spar has shared my passion for 
these agencies and successfully raised awareness about their often-
overlooked needs. He achieved this goal by conducting quarterly 
meetings and other colloquia for users and producers of federal 
statistics where they could share information about current federal 
statistical policy developments and discuss issues important to 
governmental and non-governmental data user communities. Mr. Spar was 
also a constant presence at meetings with federal statistical agencies, 
Members of Congress, and congressional staff, offering his expertise on 
federal statistical policy issues and suggesting improvements.
  Mr. Spar's achievements include an initiative he led for the Bureau 
of Labor Statistics to update the Consumer Expenditure Survey, which 
resulted in crucial changes to the survey's interviewing structure, 
questionnaire design, and proxy reporting. In addition, he served on 
the National Academy of Sciences' panel on transportation statistics 
whose recommendations guide the current collection of key 
infrastructure data. Mr. Spar has also worked closely with the Office 
of Statistical Policy of the United States Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB), particularly to review and improve geographic 
classifications, as well as to bring statistical policy and research 
developments to broader audiences.
  His efforts have not been limited, however, to domestic statistical 
issues. Mr. Spar has also been recognized as a leader regarding 
international surveys and agencies. Major international agencies, 
including the United Nations, the U.S. Agency for International 
Development, the U.S. Information Agency, and the Organization for 
Economic Cooperation and Development, have consulted with Mr. Spar. In 
this capacity, Mr. Spar advised these agencies and their international 
counterparts on a range of issues, including data collection and 
confidentiality standards, the establishment of statistical policy 
offices, and the development of strategies for outreach to users of 
federal statistics.
  In addition to all of his achievements, Mr. Spar has been a mentor, 
teaching courses at Georgetown University and the U.S. Census Bureau, 
leading workshops at national and international scientific and data 
user conferences, and encouraging the next generation of statisticians 
and data users. And, as President of Market Statistics from 1972 to 
1992, Mr. Spar was one of the pioneers of private sector applied 
demography.
  I am proud to rise in recognition of Mr. Spar, a native New Yorker 
and a national leader on federal statistical issues. Although he is 
leaving COPAFS to enjoy a well-deserved retirement, he leaves behind a 
legacy of stronger statistical agencies and policies and an 
appreciative cadre of colleagues who have benefited from his dedicated 
years of service.
  Congratulations and best wishes to Mr. Spar and his family.

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